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Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adjustments to a compression stocking on reductions in leg volume during walking in patients with lymphedema.Method: Fourteen women and three men suffering from leg lymphedema with ages between 21 and 68 years old (mean 45.68 years) were randomly enrolled in this study. Evaluations were made by volumetry before and after each session of controlled walking. Patients were subjected to three one-hour sessions of walking slowly on the flat ground monitored by a professional. For the first session, the patients used a well-adjusted cotton-polyester compression stocking, for the second they used a badly adjusted compression stocking made of the same fabric, and for the third, no compression garment was used. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis.Results: On comparing the volume before and after walking for one hour with the well-adjusted cottonpolyester compression stocking, there was a mean reduction of 46.2 mL ± 66.95 mL (p-value < 0.02) in the volume of the lymphedema. In the one-hour session of walking without any compression, the volume of the leg increased by 74.4 mL ± 99.75 mL (p-value < 0.007). On walking with the compression stocking badly adjusted, there was a mean increase in the volume of 31.6 mL ± 46.9 mL (p-value < 0.14). Conclusion:Walking is a type of muscle activity that can be transformed into a type of daily exercise when you are guided by how it is going to be performed. The exercise, in this study specifically, walking, with a strict control of speed and time of realization using a compression mechanism is well adjusted to the volume of the limb and surely effective in reducing edema.

The objective of this study was to evaluate pain in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema and the characteristics of aggravating factors and coping mechanisms. The study was conducted in the Clinica Godoy, São Jose do Rio Preto, with a group of 46 women who had undergone surgery for the treatment of breast cancer. The following variables were evaluated: type and length of surgery; number of radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions; continued feeling of the removed breast (phantom limb), infection, intensity of pain, and factors that improve and worsen the pain. The percentage of events was used for statistical analysis. About half the participants (52.1%) performed modified radical surgery, with 91.3% removing only one breast; 82.6% of the participants did not perform breast reconstruction surgery. Insignificant pain was reported by 32.60% of the women and 67.3% said they suffered pain; it was mild in 28.8% of the cases (scale 1–5), moderate in 34.8% (scale 6–9), and severe in 4.3%. The main mechanisms used to cope with pain were painkillers in 41.30% of participants, rest in 21.73%, religious ceremonies in 17.39%, and chatting with friends in 8.69%. In conclusion, many mastectomized patients with lymphedema complain of pain, but pain is often underrecognized and undertreated.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate grosgrain c stockings in the reduction and maintenance of the results of treatment for lymphedema.Method: A prospective clinical trial was performed with 45 patients who made use of grosgrain stockings as monotherapy for the treatment of lower limb lymphedema with the analysis of the volumetric reduction using bioimpedance at the Clinica Godoy-Brazil. These stockings are hand-crafted and adapted to each patient, with adjustments made as necessary. Results:The mean reduction in volume was from 7.1 to 6.0 L (standard deviation: 1.56 L). This reduction was statistically significant (p-value < 0.0001, paired t-test). A total of 17 (18.8%) of the 90 limbs did not undergo reductions, but rather had discrete numerical increases. However, these increases were not statistically significant in this group of patients (p-value = 0.08, paired t-test). Conclusion:Grosgrain stockings are effective for the treatment of primary congenital lymphedema when used in accordance with the recommended instructions.